Kapucian Korner

March 15, 2011

It's been another busy week at the Capitol as we debated all week long. Our debate included meaningful discussion on good and bad bills.

Some of the good bills included extending veterans education benefits, cleaning up Iowa Code, and banning the sale and distribution of products, like sippy cups, for children under 3 with the BPA substance in them.

We should be seeing budget numbers very soon as the ultimate goal of the legislative session will be passing a balanced budget. The Governor, House Republicans and Senate Democrats all have budget recommendations and it is our job, as legislators, to iron out the differences and come up with something workable for the state. Discussions will continue as the process moves along.

Our Rules and Regulations Tour is stopping in Cedar Rapids and Burlington March 12th. Republicans have been collecting a lot of useful data on how rules and regulations are hindering job growth and overreaching when it comes to authority. We'll be compiling all the input and giving recommendations to the Governor in the near future. I'll be sure to keep you updated on the situation.

Last night I had the pleasure of taking nine other state senators along to the 25th Celebration of Agriculture. Congratulations to the Cedar Rapids Chamber and the Agriculture Committee for a record attendance of over 700 people and 25 years of relating the Story of Agriculture and its importance to the economy of Iowa.

An interesting fact presented by the featured speaker Lowell Catlett, of New Mexico State University; for the first time in the history of the world, we are producing enough calories for every person on the planet. We can all be very proud of Iowa's role in this feat.

This week I was placed on the Governor's Transportation Advisory Commission, so the summer of 2011 is going to be a busy one. We will be seeking input from across the state and looking for advice and recommendations on addressing Iowa's infrastructure needs as well as how to pay for them. Challenging to say the least.